RX-Hachi

Not to start another MT vs AT thread, but I've always thought the 4 spd AT on the RX-8 seemed behind the times compared to today's 5, 6, and even 7 speed AT transmissions on the market.

The new MX-5 Miata will have a 6 spd AT as an option, so I wonder if the RX-8 will also benefit and gain a 6 spd AT option next year. '06 would seem like the year for some meaningful enhancements to the 8.

adrien

Before its introduction in the Miata, I would have said there were three issues -- can it work with RWD, can it handle the high redline and can it handle the heat the Renesis puts out.

Looks like 1 is answered, still not sure about 2 and 3.

Wasn't there talk of them going straight to an smg instead of a traditional slushbox?

RX-Hachi

There was talk, or was it wishful thinking, of an SMG style trans. If it can't take the high revs of the 238hp unit, a really good AT option on the 197 hp unit might be fine. In Europe and Asia where the lower powered 197 hp US/210ps JDM Renesis is matched up with a 5spd MT, it seems to be able to hold its own.

Personally, I'd always opt for the MT, even if an SMG was available. But I'd just like to see all aspects of the RX-8 enhanced over time. And I see the current AT trans as one of its weaker points. (Again, no offense meant to any AT drivers.)

tdb

I really hope the 6 gear auto can take the higher output engine. Since I have to buy the auto to keep the wife happy, I am hoping for a small miracle or the smg (which i'm beginning to think probably won't be offered). Kind of hard buying an auto and knowing you've got 40 horses less for about the same money as a manual GT would cost.

Reactionary

Right, so don't buy the RX8 if you got to have an automatic.

V_for_velocity

Well, that's bad advice. Like some others, I have the AT for wifey reasons, but nevertheless it's hella fun (in sportshift mode, that is). And the overall experience, including rubbernecking by onlookers is the same.

Gord96BRG

I've been posting for over a year here that the '06 RX-8 would get a 5 spd auto that can handle the revs and power of the Hi-power Renesis, and that the auto would be shared with the NC MX-5 (I also suspect that the Lo-power engine will be discontinued after the '05 RX-8 once the 4 spd auto is replaced with the 5 speed).

So, I'm actually surprised that the NC MX-5 is listing a 6 speed auto trans, but we'll see on Monday when the official announcements are made. Whether it's 5 or 6, I'm betting it will be in the '06 RX-8. I also know that Mazda was working on a 6 speed SMG, so that may be held back for the Mazdaspeed versions of the RX-8 and MX-5.

Regards,
Gordon

brianlmoon

Ok, uber nuber here. Can someone define SMG please?

Ike

SMG (sequential M gearbox) is what BMW calls their sequential gearbox, in simplest terms it has a clutch like a MT but no clutch pedal so shifts are much faster and drivetran loss is less. It's been adopted by a lot of people as the term for any sequential gearbox much like Jacuzzi is for a hottub, Kleenex for tissue etc...

RX-Hachi

Yeah, what Ike said.

But also it is a true manual in the sense that it doesn't have a torque converter like a true automatic, so you won't lose as much torque. (This is a good thing, as our 8's don't have much torque to spare.) Instead of a clutch pedal, the computer does the clutch work when shifting gears. Ferrari were the first to come out with this on their F1 cars in '89. Soon after, all the F1 cars had them, and now we are starting to see them more and more in road cars.

An SMG like transmission would have no problems with 9k revs of the RENESIS, because it's really a computer aided manual transmission. On top of being able to shift faster than most humans, it gives one the option of driving in an automatic mode as well.

brianlmoon

Ok, so the AT in my RX-8 has a "fake SMG mode". That is what it sounds like.

Like a previous reader, my wife likes the automatic mode and in fact, because of my long commute, I do sometimes (phone, eating - although I try to do neither in my 8). However, my wife would drive a MT if I had it so it is not a deal breaker by any means. SMG sounds like an all around winner for people like me.

JeRKy 8 Owner

On Monday they announce all ofthat? Wow. Great - soMonday will determine whether I put my automatic up for sale in the summer or buy a turbo kit for it at that time. (Will be 2 years old in August and Im guessing mileage around 32k - 36k. Hmmm - thats pretty frigginpathetic considering that 90% of mycars existence was spent under city driving.)

VikingDJ

[QUOTE=brianlmoon]Ok, so the AT in my RX-8 has a "fake SMG mode". That is what it sounds like.

Like a previous reader, my wife likes the automatic mode and in fact, because of my long commute, I do sometimes (phone, eating - although I try to do neither in my 8). However, my wife would drive a MT if I had it so it is not a deal breaker by any means. SMG sounds like an all around winner for people like me.[/QUOTE

You can call it fake I guess.The rx8 auto is really just a basic auto transmission that gives you option to change gears on your own instead of letting it do it itself. The SMG is a winner, because it gives you the performance of a manual, and the convenience of an automatic. It's really the best of both world for someone who can't decide what they want, and can't compromise performance. An SMG in the rx8 would certainly handle the 9krpms, but also add serious $$$ to pricetag.

tdb

Thanks for the feedback. After looking again at the car at a dealer this weekend I will buy one in the fall even if it remains unchanged. It's got too many good things going for it and the versatality of its unique design is just icing on the cake.

JeRKy 8 Owner

What happened w/those official announcements beingmade on Monday?

Gord96BRG

The 3rd generation, NC MX-5 (formerly known as MX-5 Miata) was announced at the Geneva Motor Show. It does indeed have an optional 6 speed automatic (slushbox). No word on an SMG, so I guess that will not show in the first production runs.

Regards,
Gordon

Mikelikes2drive

GO CHECK mazdanews.com to see full details on the ned mx-5... IMO it looks sweet :D

mike0615

rode in friends m3 with smg, that things shifts really fast. its almost like cheating out on the track. really cool device. its making me think about what i'm gonna get for my next car. from that performance, i give it a thumbs up.

JeRKy 8 Owner

I misunderstood what you meant before Gordon.I thought you meant that Mazda wasgoing to reveal information about the 2006 Rx8s on Monday inaddition to the MX-5.

So howmuch longer do we haveto wait until they officiallyannounce 2006 changes to the Rx8s? Honestly I couldcare less about the new Miata and its Rx8 knockoff exterior and interior design. They mightas well have stuck a rotary engine intoit and called it a convertible 8 b/c thats what it lookslike to me.

truemagellen

my thoughts is as soon as Auto fans find out there is going to be a 6auto...sales of the 4auto will decline...so mazda probably wont tell us for a while

besides this isn't just about 4auto vs. 6auto this is about the higherpower engine.

JeRKy 8 Owner

Id be luckyto get 20k for my automatic in the summer (privately selling it) andthen Id be probably be looking at 10k+ for the new automatic Rx8 since itwould end up costing more than a2006 manual Rx8 nowthat it has the same engine. Looks like Im just better off trying to turbocharge my automatic or justleaving it slow.

Lock & Load

6 speed Auto transmission from MX5 is a YES for the RX8 in time .

March 05 Wheels magazine here in Australia has said that the 6 speed Automatic featured in the new MX5 , will feature a pseudo-manual mode with activation by shift lever or steering-wheel-mounted paddles is all new and is destined in time to also appear in the RX-8.

The big question will be wether the guys who currently have the 4 speed auto will be able to upgrade to this new 6 speed Automatic and if so at what cost

cheers
michael

RX-Hachi

The bigger question is if the 6 spd auto can handle the 9K revs of the high power renesis unit. That would provide more incentive for current 4 spd AT owners to trade up.